According to a recent survey by e-commerce platform Shopee, the e-commerce platforms are creating new livelihoods and opportunities amid rising economic challenges.
The survey was conducted with 11, 850 respondents comprising of 45.6 percent full-time online business owners, 35.4 percent of those use e-commerce as side income and 19 percent of those who have online and offline businesses.
35.4 percent of the overall employed respondents reveal that they have turned to e-commerce for a second and even third source of household income. These sellers were found to be making an average of RM2,750 per month selling on Shopee alone.
Additionally, the survey indicated that e-commerce appears to be creating opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs, regardless of gender, geography, and age. Out of the 11,850 sellers surveyed, 5,406 are new entrepreneurs enabled by e-commerce, who cited that their businesses are operated fully online.
72 percent of the new entrepreneurs are women. They mainly offer health and beauty products, women’s clothing as well as fashion accessories and are able to generate RM3,950* on average a month.
70.7 percent of the new entrepreneurs are aged between 18 and 35, of which, one in three are Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) certificate holders. These individuals sell a variety of things such as children and Muslim fashion, groceries, babies, and kids-related products amongst others, and are able to generate an average of RM6,000 a month on Shopee.
Shopee finds that e-commerce is also facilitating the nationwide supply of hometown specialties such as keropok lekor, kek lapis, ikan bilis Pangkor, belacan, cencaluk and more, giving consumers better variety online. These 13.3 percent of rural sellers are able to generate an average of RM3,200 in sales monthly.
“The survey findings show that e-commerce provides equal opportunity for all to make a mark online. While e-commerce helps to better livelihoods, this also goes to show that e-commerce can play a larger role in shaping the modern workforce,” said Ian Ho, Regional Managing Director of Shopee.
According to the survey, 66.7 percent of respondents said they were doubling their inventory in preparation for the 11.11 shopping festival. Meanwhile, 70.2 percent of the sellers project at least 100 percent growth in sales on their Shopee stores this 11.11 Big Sale as compared to 2019, with some anticipating a five-fold increase.
Shopee will also deepen its commitment in uplifting local communities through its 11.11 Big Charity, its first regional charity drive. In Malaysia, it will partner charity organisations like the Malaysian AIDS Foundation in raising awareness and donations for people living with HIV including underprivileged children.
“As we remain at the forefront of digital transformation, we are focused on making e-commerce for everyone by creating opportunities and meaningful shared experiences for sellers and buyers.
